Catheter: A small, thin plastic tube through which fluids are given or removed from the body.

Central line: A small plastic tube that is placed in a large blood vessel near the heart, to deliver intravenous feedings and medications. A central line can avoid many needle sticks for a baby, when long-term care is needed.

Cerebral palsy: A group of conditions that affect control of movement and posture, often leading to problems with muscle strength, flexibility or movement.

Chickenpox (varicella): Common childhood illness characterized by an itchy rash and fever. When contracted by a pregnant woman, it can occasionally cause birth defects or severe newborn illness.

Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan): Imaging technique that produces precise pictures of tissue using a narrow beam of radiation and computers.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Birth defect involving an opening in the diaphragm, the large muscle that separates the chest and abdomen. Abdominal organs, such as the stomach and intestines, can move through the opening into the chest, where they can crowd the lungs and interfere with their development.

C-PAP (continuous positive airway pressure): Air is delivered to a baby's lungs through either small tubes in the baby's nose or through a tube that has been inserted into her windpipe. The tubes are attached to a ventilator, which helps the baby breathe, but does not breathe for her.

Cryotherapy: Freezing of abnormal tissue to halt its growth. This form of treatment can be used in severe cases of retinopathy of prematurity.

Cyanosis: A blue or gray discoloration of the skin caused by insufficient oxygen.

Cytomegalovirus: A viral infection that, when contracted by a pregnant woman, can result in severe newborn illness, and sometimes lead to chronic disabilities such as mental retardation, vision and hearing loss.

Echocardiogram: A specialized form of ultrasound examination that is used to study the heart.

Endotracheal tube: Small plastic tube that is inserted through a baby's nose or mouth down into the trachea (windpipe), usually connected to a ventilator.

Exchange transfusion: Special type of blood transfusion in which some of the baby's blood is removed and replaced with blood from a donor; sometimes used to treat severe jaundice.

Gastroschisis: Birth defect involving an opening in the abdominal wall, through which the abdominal organs bulge out.

Gastrostomy: Surgically created opening in the stomach, through which a baby can be fed.

Gavage feeding: Feeding through a flexible tube placed through the nose or mouth to the stomach or intestines.

Group B streptococcus: Bacterial infection that a baby can contract as he passes through an infected birth canal, sometimes resulting in further illness. Many cases can be prevented by screening and/or treating infected women with antibiotics during labor and delivery.

Pneumothorax: When air from the baby's lungs leaks out into the space between the baby's lungs and chest wall. While small leaks may cause no problems and require no treatment, larger leaks may cause serious complications such as lung collapse and may need surgical repair.

Premature baby: Baby born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.

Pulse oximeter: Small device that uses a light sensor to help determine blood oxygen levels.

Radiant warmer: Open bed with overhead heating source to warm the baby.

Spina bifida: Birth defect involving the spinal cord, resulting in varying degrees of paralysis, bladder and bowel problems. Affected babies may require surgery during the newborn period to close the back and prevent further nerve damage and infection; however, surgery cannot reverse nerve damage that already has occurred.

Step-down nursery: Intermediate level of care for babies who have graduated from the NICU.

Surfactant: Detergent-like substance that keeps small air sacs in the lungs from collapsing.

Syndrome: A combination of signs and symptoms that, when present together, are associated with a specific medical condition.

Tachycardia: Rapid heart rate.

Toxoplasmosis: A parasitic infection that, when contracted by a pregnant woman, can result in serious newborn illness and chronic disabilities, such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures, or vision and hearing loss.

Ultrasound: Imaging technique that uses sound waves to make a picture of tissue.

Umbilical catheter: Thin tube inserted into the belly button; used to draw blood or give fluids, medication, nutrients or blood.